Alabama DE Darious Whitfield First South Carolina Commitment Post-Steve Spurrier
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
The post-Steve Spurrier era is not even a full day through and South Carolina has already landed a commitment to their 2016 recruiting class. On Tuesday, St. Paul Episcopal DT/DE Darius Whitfield became the first recruit to verbally commit to the Gamecocks after Spurrier’s retirement.
Whitfield helped his St. Paul Saints to a 17-0 mark in 2014 posting a stat line of 70 tackles, 20 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, and 5 forced fumbles. The push to land Whitfield has been wide spread throughout SEC country. The 6’3”, 265 pound, talent has picked up offers from Arkansas, Florida, Missouri, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Kentucky, Tennessee, and LSU with teams like Miami, Florida State, Arizona State, and Penn State offering as well.
The decision to side with South Carolina is curious as no one knows who will be the next coach of the Gamecocks. The one thing that can be assumed is whoever is hired will be there for a couple of years, at least. Fans can make the assumption that Whitfield’s love for the school was at the heart of his decision.
South Carolina linebackers coach Kirk Botkin is a tireless recruiter for the Gamecocks and deserves attention for helping pull the talented 4-star Whitfield into the fold despite the distraction of an unknown future for both himself and the Gamecocks’ football program.
The Gamecocks now have 16 verbal commits to their class. The addition of Whitfield is great but how long will the class hold together at 16? How quickly USC can name the next coach will have a heavy influence on how many players de-commit opting to play for a different head coach and staff they are more familiar with or deciding to hold their commitment to play their collegiate ball in Columbia.
2016 South Carolina Gamecocks Verbal Commitment List
FS Marlon Character, 6’0”, 170 lbs, Grady HS, Atlanta, GA
FS Jaqui “JJ” Givens, 6’1”, 165 lbs, Atlee HS, Mechanicsville, VA
CB Tre Jackson, 5’10”, 178 lbs, Univ. Lab HS, Baton Rouge, LA
DE Jordan Smith, 6’5”, 225 lbs, Lithonia HS, Lithonia, GA
DE Cecil Stallings, 6’4”, 250 lbs, Tucker HS, Atlanta, GA
DE Darius Whitfield, 6’3”, 265 lbs, St. Paul’s Episcopal, Mobile, AL
LB P.J. Blue, 6’3”, 210 lbs, Park Crossing HS, Montgomery, AL
LB Jacorey Morris, 6’3”, 220 lbs, Clarke County HS, Grove Hill, AL
OT Akeem Cooperwood, 6’7”, 325 lbs, Georgia Military College, Milledgeville, GA
OT Peter Leota, 6’5” 300 lbs, Asheville HS, Asheville, NC
OG Lloyd Cushenberry, 6’4”, 310 lbs, Dutchtown HS, Geismar, LA
OG Will Putnam, 6’5”, 270 lbs, Hickory Ridge HS, Harrisburg, NC
RB C.J. Freeeman, 5’11”, 195 lbs, Northern Guilford HS, Greensboro, NC
QB Brandon McIlwain, 6’0”, 188 lbs, Council Rock North, Newtown, PA
WR Bryan Edwards, 6’3”, 205 lbs, Conway HS, Conway, SC
WR Kelvin Harmon, 6’3”, 190 lbs, Palmyra HS, Palmyra, NJ
WR Chris Smith, 5’10”, 170 lbs, South Pointe HS, Rock Hill, SC
Photo credit: al.com; Darius Whitfield.